The Challenge – A Custom Glass Elevator

The Challenge

When Clarence Bergen of Urban Life Pools and Hot Tubs had a vision for a new facility in Steinbach Manitoba, it included a glass elevator. The elevator would be the center of the showroom. To accomplish that dream he began by calling big elevator companies. Unfortunately his experience was bad and consisted of leaving messages and not getting called back. He knew, due to the Canadian winter, he needed the fastest installing elevator, but also a unique look to make his dream a reality. But no one seemed to want to help.

Bergen said, “I was getting nowhere and wasting time. I could tell by their attitude that they didn’t have time for me or my project.” The challenge was speaking to an elevator professional that would help him make his dream a reality. The challenge was a quick installing but highly custom elevator hoistway and car.

The Solution – Fastest Installing Elevator

He then called Phoenix Modular Elevator (PME) and with their help he began to start piecing together the project that he had in mind. First, the elevator would be in the center of the building and needed to be self-supporting. Second, it had to be cost effective. Dreams don’t have a price tag, but the $200,000 number being kicked around by big elevator companies was a bit much even for a dream. He wanted a glass elevator to match the design of the rest of the building. Lastly he knew due to the temperatures and construction schedule, it had to be the fastest installing elevator available.

He knew right away that PME was different. They answered the phone and not only that, they were friendly, professional and responsive. Also, they were willing to discuss the project Clarence had in mind and how they could work together to make the dream a reality. Self, supporting structure? Check. Phoenix Modular elevators are designed to be self-supporting. Cost effective? Check. The outlandish $200,000 price tag to seem like an amount big elevator companies used to discourage his plans. With PME they were able to make the numbers work. Glass elevator? Check. It was not only doable but, PME worked with Clarence to meet all of his specs for the job.

The result is a great elevator that measured up to the dream.

It may seem odd that an Illinois company would be providing Canadians with elevators. However the unique approach used to build and install them, makes PME elevators a perfect match for any project. PME elevators begin with heavy 4X4 inch, tube steel columns and beams that make up the frame. The elevator is constructed horizontally with greater quality controls, faster production and installation time at a lower overall cost.

At the same time the elevator car is being constructed to the customer’s specification and readied to be inserted in the horizontal shaft or hoistway.

The glass elevator hoistway was left uncovered or “naked” where most elevators PME produces are covered in fire-rated material. Then non-proprietary components, including the car are installed and wired in the factory. The old way of building an elevator is to build the shaft on a job site vertically, then assemble the components inside the vertical shaft in less than optimal conditions. That process takes months and means a dangerous working environment in the cold, snow and rain, causing construction delays. This dated method is less safe. It is more confined and requires more time to build. This slows construction projects and increases costs.

A Phoenix Modular Elevator is built to exact specifications in a factory setting. It is then shipped on a truck to the location. Then it is hoisted into place at the job site. This requires only a few days of final installation work before it is ready for inspection. It truly is the fastest installing elevator.

If getting the fastest installing elevator that is unique and decorative is important to you, click the button below to get a free quick quote for a project you have in mind.